MARSHAL LOUIS N. DAVOUT AND THE ART OF COMMAND A ...

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twentieth Davout's actions on the twenty-first again saved the French army from possible defeat. On 21 April Davout held most of the Austrian army in check and protected Napoleon's exposed flank. Had Davout failed in this mission Napoleon's forces could have been crushed by an attack of the Austrians from the north. It must be remembered that Napoleon told Davout that he had a "mere three regiments to his front, 11 when in fact it was three corps. Through the correct application of the principles of war Davout was able to box the Austrian army into a corner around Eckmuehl. Davout's actions on the nightof the twenty-first and during the day on the twenty-second were again the saving grace for the French army. His insistence that Napoleon turn north on the twenty-second definitely saved the French army. Charles had three times the numerical strength of Davout and without the remainder of the French army Davout had little hope of winning an all out battle. Davout then positioned his forces to occupy Charles until Napoleon arrived. After three days of fighting he was still able to bring about the defeat of the Austrians and shatter their left and center. The success of Davout cannot be entirely attributed to his application of the art of command. It was also due to several additional factors to include: the skill and training of his soldiers, good tactical
doctrine, and most importantly the abilities and skill of his subordinate commanders. Davout was blessed with exceptional commanders at the brigade and division level, many of which achieved great rank in the service of France. Such commanders as Colonel Coutard, General Montbrun, General St Hilaire, and General Friant were among the best in the French army. With these assets it would be inappropriate to give all the credit to Louis Davout. Additionally, I11 Corps was composed of veteran soldiers unspoiled by futile actions in Spain, that could fight well and were willing to give up their lives for France if need be. They were very well trained and skilled at fighting, some being veterans of the campaigns of Austerlitz, Jena-Auerstaedt, and Eylau. However, it was Davout who trained these soldiers and leaders. More significantly, it was Davout that recognized these capabilities and applied them correctly. This recognition and application is also part of Davout's art of command. Davoutrs, and I11 Corps' actions not only insured the defeat of the Austrians in April of 1809 they offer an excellent example of the art of command. This example is presented through Davout's eyes in the dynamics of battle. It is viewed as he progressed from the strategic commander to the tactical master. His actions help to define this very amorphous idea.
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ABSTRACT MARSHAL LOUIS N. DAVOUT AN
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TABLE OF CONTENTS ?&%slsAPPROVALPAG
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CHAPTER 1 BUT WHAT ARE WE TO UNDERS
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the study of simple strategy and ta
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This fact becomes even more obvious
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the grand tactic. Operational warfa
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Burgundian countryside. He was born
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In1803 Davout was given command of
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then launch a major offensive into
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This attack'then ensured victory fo
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would actually go to war. However,
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Bluecher made four unsuccessful att
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fight entirely on his own. The batt
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title until two years after the bat
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Without hesitation Davout pushed fo
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most of his marshals, generals, the
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CHAPTER 3 THE AUSTRIANS ARE OUR WOR
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Finally, with Davout's information
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Austrian influence in Germany and I
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organization, always slow to act. M
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course of action. They now had a be
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elieved Prince Eugene and Marshal A
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22 March Davout had sent a message
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were designated VII Corps and consi
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and intelligence at the strategic l
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across the Danube. The Austrians al
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transmitted from Napoleon to Berthi
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Normally, the message dispatched by
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me that the best maneuver would be
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Berthier chose to overlook this cor
Page 63 and 64: Landshut were only one corps and no
Page 65 and 66: destroy him. On the eighteenth Char
Page 67 and 68: critical for the French. Napoleon r
Page 69 and 70: Throughout these ten days before th
Page 71 and 72: CHAPTER 5 YOU ONLY HAVE A CURTAIN O
Page 73 and 74: Gudin to support the movement of hi
Page 75 and 76: well. They bought Davout the necess
Page 77 and 78: The remainder of the Austrians then
Page 79 and 80: His tactical leadership was at its
Page 81 and 82: Napoleon's vision of the battlefiel
Page 83 and 84: against the French. His troops succ
Page 85 and 86: to surrender at 5:00 P.M. Now Charl
Page 87 and 88: pursuit on two parallel roads leadi
Page 89 and 90: important part in Davout's decision
Page 91 and 92: orders and directions. While Davout
Page 93 and 94: Corps. He received no reply from th
Page 95 and 96: convinced he was being attacked by
Page 97 and 98: CHAPTER 6 THE DUKE OF AUERSTAEDT IS
Page 99 and 100: eginning to feel the fatigue of con
Page 101 and 102: Just as the Austrians began to move
Page 103 and 104: effect, Davoutfs forces became the
Page 105 and 106: The French carabiniers fired a volZ
Page 107 and 108: Charles would lose his desire to st
Page 109 and 110: The ~re'nch prevailed over the Aust
Page 111 and 112: CHAPTER 7 IN BATTLE MEN ARE NOTHING
Page 113: counter orders did nothing but conf
Page 117 and 118: The art of war on land is an art of
Page 119 and 120: Maintaining this vision or coup d'o
Page 121 and 122: internal fears rather than obstinac
Page 123 and 124: who never made a mistake. The key i
Page 125 and 126: too seemed only to be small diversi
Page 127 and 128: helped to provide definition to the
Page 129 and 130: Figure 1.Theater of Operations.
Page 131 and 132: INITIALACTIONSABOUT 1500Counteratta
Page 133 and 134: Figure 5.Davout's Running Fight on
Page 135 and 136: N1- 'LABER RIVER' SCHlERLlNGLANNESI
Page 137 and 138: Reserve Division: Demont' (3,215) 2
Page 139 and 140: APPENDIX C ORDER OF BATTLE CHANGES
Page 141 and 142: ll~avidG. Chandler, The Cam~aians o
Page 143 and 144: 3~hisis noted in Napoleon's corresp
Page 145 and 146: 20~his is from correspondence numbe
Page 147 and 148: WORKS CITED Primarv Sources Bonapar
Page 149 and 150: Arnold, James R. Crisis on The Danu
Page 151 and 152: ackground material and specifics on
Page 153 and 154: secondary source but all informatio
Page 155 and 156: INITIAL DISTRIBUTION LIST 1. , Comb
Page 157: STATEMENT A: Approved for public re
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